Parliament right forum to discuss electoral reforms: Sherpao

ISLAMABAD - While strongly opposing politics of agitation, a number of political parties on Friday called for resolving issue of electoral reforms in the Parliament as it is a proper and right forum to discuss and resolve all political matters.At this juncture, the politics of violence and protests must be avoided as people are interested to get resolved their problems and protest demonstrations could not resolve their problems, Chief of Qoumi Watan Party, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said in an interview.He said all political parties should jointly introduce reforms to make the electoral process transparent and error free.The parliamentary parties have agreed to constitute a 33-member Parliamentary committee, having representation of all parties including Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf to introduce electoral reforms and make the electoral system transparent.He urged political parties, civil society, media to give their input for introducing flawless electoral reforms in the country.Aftab Sherpao said that Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) should dedicate Independence Day of August 14 to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) instead of resorting to violence and sit-ins.He pointed out that PTI has failed to bring any change in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding, people were not interested in protests and they only want resolution of their problems.He proposed to dedicate a place in F-9 Park for holding protests and rallies so that people could not face any problem in pursuing their routine life.About recounting of votes in some constituencies, he said, election tribunals having required powers, were independent and proper forum to address election related complaints.He said that PTI must trust on the tribunals for resolution of their grievances.Aftab Sherpao said, “Why is PTI protesting against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as the former chief election commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim was appointed after seeking their consent.PML-N Parliamentarian, Talal Chaudhry said that the government has no powers to open ballot boxes of four constituencies.Elections were conducted by an independent election commission and if someone has any complaint he should knock the door of Election Commission of Pakistan.He said the Election Commission has already devised a proper system for resolving the election related issues of the candidates.No one has the powers to interfere in the affairs of Election Tribunals.Election Commission was the right forum for getting relief.While further explaining this issue, he said election reforms are continuous process and PTI should concentrate on the same.While commenting on this issue, former Information Minister and a PPP stalwart, Qamar Zaman Kaira opined that government should resolve the issues of long march politically.Civilised nation always resolve their political matters through debate and by using the forum of parliament.While supporting electoral reforms, PPP, MNA, Ramesh Kumar criticized the politics of protest and said the all political issues must be resolved through dialogue.He said that electoral reforms should be discussed in the parliamentary committee and apprehended that street agitation would only help spread anarchy in the country.He said that the country was passing through a difficult and challenging phase of its history and to derail democratic system would not serve any purpose. Only continuation of political system could bring economic stability and strengthen democratic institutions.

This news was published in The Nation newspaper. Read complete newspaper of 19-Jul-2014 here.